Beverage producing machine

ABSTRACT

The beverage producing machine comprises a brewing chamber and at least one hydraulic actuator for controlling closing and opening movement of the chamber. A water pump, fluidly connected to the chamber through a first water path and fluidly connected to the actuator through a second water path delivers pressurized water to the chamber and actuator, respectively. A water heater and a first valve arrangement are arranged along the first water path. A second valve arrangement is positioned along the second water path, between the water pump and the actuator. The first and second valve arrangements are configured and controlled such that during a brewing chamber closure step the first valve arrangement is closed, and the second valve arrangement is open. Upon reaching a closure pressure in the actuator, the second valve arrangement is closed and the first valve arrangement is opened, allowing water to be delivered to the chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns beverage producing machines, and morespecifically beverage producing machines comprising a brewing chamberand hydraulic means for controlling the opening and closing or thebrewing chamber. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to beverageproducing machines using capsules containing at least one ingredientwherefrom the beverage is produced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For producing hot drinks and beverages, such as for example coffee, tea,vegetable based infusions and the like, single dose packaging in theform of so-called capsules or pods are often used. Herein after the termcapsule will be used to designate any such single dose packaging,including rigid or soft cartridges, pods or capsules, both gas tight orperforated. It shall be understood that, unless specifically indicated,the term encompasses any kind of single dose packaging suitable forpreparing beverages by extraction using hot and possibly pressurizedwater. A single dose packaging can include sufficient ingredients toprepare more than just one portion beverage, for instance two portions.The term beverage as used herein designates any edible, mainly liquid orsemi-liquid product.

Some known beverage producing machines comprise a brewing chamber havingat least a first brewing chamber portion and a second brewing chamberportion, which are movable one with respect to the other for receiving acapsule therebetween and sealingly closing the capsule in the brewingchamber. Once the brewing chamber is closed, hot and possiblypressurized water is caused to pass through the brewing chamber and thecapsule retained therein. The hot water extracts the ingredientscontained in the capsule, producing the hot beverage.

In some beverage producing machines opening and closing of the brewingchamber is performed manually by means of a lever. Other known beverageproducing machines are comprised of a hydraulic mechanism for openingand closing the brewing chamber.

For instance US 2013/0112084 discloses a beverage producing machinewherein a pump supplies cold water to a hydraulic piston-cylinderactuator, which opens and closes the brewing chamber. The same pumpsupplies additional water through a water heater, wherefrom hot water isthen dispensed through a pressure regulating valve in the brewingchamber. A capsule can be arranged in the brewing chamber for receivinghot water and dispensing the beverage extracted from the ingredientscontained therein by the hot water.

WO2012/049596 discloses a further coffee producing machine, having ahydraulic opening and closing mechanism. The pump provides hot water tothe brewing chamber and cold water to a piston-cylinder actuator, whichcloses and maintains the brewing chamber in the closed position duringbrewing.

WO-A-02/058523 discloses a brewing unit comprising a brewing chamberhaving at least a first brewing chamber portion and a second brewingchamber portion, movable one with respect to the other, configured andarranged to take an open position and a closed brewing position. Ahydraulic actuator is provided, for controlling the closing and openingmovement of the brewing chamber. A water pump is further provided, whichis fluidly connected to the brewing chamber through a first water pathand further fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator through a secondwater path, such that the pump can deliver pressurized water to thebrewing chamber and to the hydraulic actuator, respectively. A waterheater is arranged along the first water path. A first valve ispositioned along the first water path and a second valve is positionedalong the second water path, between the water pump and the hydraulicactuator. The first valve comprises a shutter and a spring and iscalibrated to open when the water pressure in the first water pathachieves a pre-set pressure value. The second valve is an electro-valvewhich is selectively switched between a first position and a secondposition. In the first position the second valve fluidly connects thehydraulic actuator to the pump and the first water path. In the secondposition the second valve fluidly connects the hydraulic actuator with awater return line, through which cold water from the hydraulic actuatoris returned to a water tank. When a brewing cycle is performed, thesecond valve is switched in the first position and the pump startspumping water in the second water path. The first valve remains closeduntil the pressure in the first and second water paths achieves theper-set pressure at which the first valve opens. When the first valveopens, water flows through the brewing chamber. The second valve remainsopen such that the same water pressure is present in both the first andsecond water paths. The closure pressure of the hydraulic actuator isthus set by the opening pressure of the first valve.

In these known machines having a hydraulic closing mechanism,presurized, hot water is dispensed through the brewing chamber; thepressure must be sufficient to enable the hydraulic actuator to safelymaintain the brewing chamber in the closed position, while hot waterflows therethrough.

These known devices, therefore, suffer from some limitations concerningthe selectable pressure at which the beverage can be extracted, which isdetermined by the closure pressure. The extraction pressure affects theorganoleptic characteristics of the beverage and thus the final resultof the brewing process.

A need therefore exists, to further improve these known machines, toovercome or at least alleviate one or more of the limitations of theknown machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a beverage producing machineis provided, comprising a hydraulic circuit which is designed forcontrolling the opening and closing of a brewing chamber and fordelivering hot pressurized water through the brewing chamber at apressure which can be independent from the pressure required for closingthe brewing chamber. More specifically, according to embodimentsdisclosed herein, a beverage producing machine is provided, comprising abrewing chamber having at least a first brewing chamber portion and asecond brewing chamber portion, movable one with respect to the other,configured and arranged to take an open position and a closed brewingposition. Furthermore, at least one hydraulic actuator is provided, forcontrolling closing and opening movements of the brewing chamber. Awater pump is fluidly connected to the brewing chamber through a firstwater path and further fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuatorthrough a second water path for delivering pressurized water selectivelyto the brewing chamber and to the hydraulic actuator, respectively. Awater heater is arranged along the first water path, for heating brewingwater delivered to the brewing chamber. A first valve arrangement ispositioned along the first water path.

The beverage producing machine further comprises a second valvearrangement positioned along the second water path, between the waterpump and the hydraulic actuator.

The first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement areconfigured and controlled such that during a brewing chamber closurestep the first valve arrangement is closed and the second valvearrangement is open, and water is delivered by the water pump to thehydraulic actuator. Upon reaching a closure pressure in the hydraulicactuator, the second valve arrangement is closed to fluidly isolate thehydraulic actuator from the water pump and maintain the closure pressurein the hydraulic actuator. The first valve arrangement is opened, thusallowing water to be delivered by the water pump through the waterheater in the brewing chamber.

By providing a first valve arrangement and a second valve arrangementthe beverage producing machine is thus able to operate at variablebrewing pressure values, always under safe closing pressure conditions.The closing pressure is set at a value which can be different, e.g.higher than the brewing pressure. A safe, reliable and flexible beverageproducing machine is thus obtained. The brewing pressure can beselectable or adjustable, e.g. with the use of a control signal actingupon the pump, or using a counter-pressure valve, for instance arrangeddownstream of the brewing chamber. The brewing pressure can thus be set,for instance, at a value which is substantially lower than the pressurerequired for safely closing the brewing chamber. The beverage producingmachine becomes thus more flexible and can offer additional selectingoptions to the user.

According to some embodiments, to obtain a particularly compact andlow-cost configuration, the first valve arrangement can comprise atleast a first three-way valve having a valve inlet fluidly coupled tothe water heater, a first valve outlet fluidly coupled to the brewingchamber, and a second valve outlet fluidly coupled to a drip tray. Thethree-way valve can be electronically controlled by a central controlunit, to selectively deliver water from the water heater to the brewingchamber and to discharge residual water from the brewing chamber in thedrip tray at the end of a brewing cycle.

In some embodiments the first valve arrangement can further comprise aclosure valve arranged in series with the first three-way valve,upstream or downstream of the water heater. The additional closure valvecan be an electro-valve controlled by the central control unit of thebeverage producing machine. The closure valve provides a safer closingaction upstream of the first three-way valve, which can thus be simplerand less expensive, since it is not required to withstand the entireupstream pressure generated by the pump during the brewing chamberclosing step.

In some embodiments, the second valve arrangement comprises a secondthree-way valve having a valve inlet fluidly coupled to the water pump,a first valve outlet, fluidly coupled to the hydraulic actuator and asecond valve outlet, fluidly coupled to a water tank, wherefrom water issucked by the water pump. Through the three-way valve, water used topressurize the actuator can be returned to the water tank, thus reducingthe water consumption.

The second valve arrangement can further comprise a non-return valvearranged in series with the second three-way valve and upstream thereof,between the water pump and the second three-way valve. The non-returnvalve prevents water from flowing back from the hydraulic actuatortowards the water pump and/or towards the first water path and maintainsthe closure pressure in the hydraulic actuator.

In some embodiments the hydraulic actuator comprises at least onecylinder-piston system or two cylinder-piston systems in parallel, whichcan provide a more balanced closing action.

The brewing unit can comprise a capsule insertion mechanism, with acapsule insertion slot, wherethrough capsules can be introduced bygravity, and a capsule supporting member, configured and arranged suchas to retain a capsule in an intermediate position, prior to closing thebrewing chamber. A particularly efficient capsule handling arrangementis thus obtained.

The hydraulic actuator can be configured to move at least one of thefirst brewing chamber portion and second brewing chamber portion tointroduce the capsule in the brewing chamber and sealingly close thebrewing chamber with the capsule therein. The other brewing chamber canbe stationary with respect to a support structure. In other embodiments,both brewing chamber portions can be movable and acted upon by thehydraulic actuator.

The hydraulic actuator can be drivingly coupled to one of the firstbrewing chamber portion and second brewing chamber portion through anactuating leverage, which provides the correct closing force on thebrewing chamber. For instance, the actuating leverage can comprise apivoting arm, rotatingly supported by a frame housing the brewingchamber, and wherein the pivoting arm is rotatingly hinged to a firstconnecting rod, in turn pivotally connected to one of said first brewingchamber portion and second brewing chamber portion.

If a capsule supporting member is provided, for supporting the capsulein an intermediate position prior to closing the brewing chamber, theactuating leverage can further comprise a second connecting rod,functionally connected to the capsule supporting member, such that aclosure movement imparted by the hydraulic actuator to the brewingchamber also controls a withdrawal movement of the capsule supportingmember, to move the capsule supporting member from a capsule supportingposition, towards an inoperative position, when the brewing chamber isclosed.

According to a further aspect, the invention concerns a method forextracting a beverage from a capsule containing beverage ingredientstherein, comprising the following steps:

introducing the capsule in a brewing chamber comprised of at least afirst brewing chamber portion and a second brewing chamber portion;sealingly closing the brewing chamber by moving the first brewingchamber portion and the second brewing chamber portion in a sealinglyclosing position by means of a hydraulic actuator operated by apressurized fluid delivered by a water pump until a closure pressure isachieved;

interrupting the water flow towards the hydraulic actuator thusmaintaining the hydraulic actuator at the closure pressure, whiledelivering water at a brewing pressure in the brewing chamber by meansof said water pump a water heater.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be betterappreciated from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of theinvention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyobtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional diagram of a beverage producing machineaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the brewing chamber and relevanthydraulic actuator in an open position;

FIG. 3 illustrates an axonometric view of the hydraulic actuator in theposition of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the brewingchamber in the closed position;

FIG. 5 illustrates an axonometric view of the hydraulic actuator in theposition of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, according to adifferent embodiment of the brewing unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be firstly illustrated reference being made to theschematic functional block diagram of FIG. 1. Structural details ofembodiments of the invention will be described in greater detailreferring to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The beverage producing machine 1 can comprise a brewing unit comprisedof a brewing chamber schematically represented by block 3. Details of abrewing chamber according to a possible embodiment will be described ingreater detail reference being made to FIGS. 2 to 5. The brewing chamber3 is functionally coupled to hydraulic actuator 5, which can include afirst cylinder piston system 7 and a second cylinder piston system 9. Inother embodiments, a single cylinder-piston system can be used.Structural features of embodiments of the hydraulic actuator 5 will bedescribed in greater detail later on reference being made to FIGS. 2 to5. These figures also illustrate the mechanical connection between thehydraulic actuator 5 and the brewing chamber 3. For the time being, itis sufficient to note that the hydraulic actuator 5 is functionallyconnected to the brewing chamber 3 such as to open and close the twoportions forming the brewing chamber 3, wherein an ingredient-containingcapsule C is introduced for the production of a beverage.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the beverage producing machine 1further comprises a hydraulic circuit 11. The hydraulic circuit 11 caninclude a water tank 13, wherefrom water is delivered to the hydraulicactuator 5 for driving the opening and closing movement of the brewingchamber 3. Further water is delivered from the water tank through awater heater, to dispense hot water through the brewing chamber 3 duringa brewing cycle.

In some embodiments the hydraulic circuit 11 comprises a water pump 15,which pumps water from the water tank 13 towards the hydraulic actuator5 and the brewing chamber 3. Downstream of the pump 15 a safety valve 17can be provided. The safety valve 17 is connected to the pump 15 and tothe water tank 13 and can be provided as an over-pressure protectionvalve, which discharges water from the hydraulic circuit in the watertank 13, e.g. if the pressure in the hydraulic circuit exceeds apressure threshold, e.g. 20-23 bar.

The hydraulic circuit 11 further comprises a first water path 19 whichconnects the water pump 15 to the brewing chamber 3. Along the firstwater path 19 a first valve arrangement 20 is positioned. Downstream ofthe safety valve 17 a water heater 21 is further positioned along thefirst water path 19. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the water heater 21 isarranged upstream of the first valve arrangement 20. The inlet of thewater heater 21 is fluidly coupled, through the safety valve 17, to thedelivery side of the water pump 15. The outlet of the water heater 21 isin turn fluidly coupled to the first valve arrangement 20.

According to some embodiments, the first valve arrangement 20 cancomprise a first three-way valve 23 and a closure valve 25 upstreamthereof. The three-way valve 23 and the closure valve 25 are arranged inseries, with the closure valve 25 located upstream of the three-way 23with respect to the water flow direction in the first water path 19. Theclosure valve 25 can be an electrically driven valve, i.e. anelectro-valve, electrically controlled for instance through a centralcontrol unit 27. Similarly, the first three-way valve 23 can be anelectrically driven valve, i.e. an electro-valve, electricallycontrolled for instance by the central control unit 27.

In other embodiments, the water heater 21 can be positioned between theclosure valve 25 and the first three-way valve 23.

The first three-way valve 23 comprises a valve inlet in fluidcommunication with the closure valve 25 and a first valve outlet influid communication with the infusion chamber 3. A second valve outletof the three-way valve 23 can be fluidly connected to a drip tray 29.

A second water path 31 fluidly connects the water pump 15 to thehydraulic actuator 5. In some embodiments a second valve arrangement 32is located along the second water path 31. The second valve arrangement32 can comprise a second three-way valve 33 and a check valve, i.e. anon-return valve 35, positioned upstream of the second three-way valve33 with respect to the water flow direction along the second water path31. The three-way valve 33 can be an electrically driven valve, i.e. anelectro-valve controlled by the central control unit 27.

The second three-way valve 33 comprises a valve inlet in fluidcommunication with the water pump 15 through check valve 35 and safetyvalve 17. A first valve outlet of the second three-way valve 33 is influid communication with the hydraulic actuator 5. A second valve outletof the second three-way valve 33 is in fluid communication with thewater tank 13 through a return duct 36.

The operation of the beverage producing machine 1 will now be describedreference being made to the schematic functional block diagram of FIG.1.

When a brewing cycle starts, upon insertion of a capsule C into thebrewing chamber 3, the latter will be closed prior to start deliveringhot water through the brewing chamber 3, in order to extract thebeverage. Closure of the brewing chamber 3 is performed by activatingthe water pump 15. Water is sucked from the water thank 13 by the waterpump 15 and delivered through the second water path 31 to the hydraulicactuator 5. During this step of the brewing cycle, the closure valve 25is closed, such that no water is delivered through the water heater 29towards the brewing chamber 3.

The pressurized water delivered to the hydraulic actuator 5 causes thelatter to close the brewing chamber as will be described in greaterdetail, reference being made to the following FIGS. 2 to 5. The secondthree-way valve 33 is open thus allowing water to flow through the firstoutlet thereof towards the hydraulic actuator 5. This brewing-chamberclosing step ends once the desired closing pressure has been achieved inthe hydraulic actuator 5. The pressure can be detected for instance inthe cylinder of either one or the other of the two cylinder pistonssystems 7, 9, or else along the second water path 31. In otherembodiments pressure can be measured in a different position along thehydraulic circuit, or the closure force can be directly measured, forinstance by means of a load cell or applied to either one or the otherof the two movable brewing chamber portions or on any one of themechanical members which connect the hydraulic actuator 5 to the brewingchamber 3.

Once the required closing pressure or closing force has been achieved,the valve 25 can be opened and pumping of water towards the brewingchamber 3 can start. If a hot beverage is desired, prior to flowingwater through the first water path 19 the water heater 21 must be turnedon and delivery of water therethrough will be enabled upon reaching asufficient temperature inside the water heater, which can be detected bya suitable temperature sensor or the like. The water heater 21 can be athrough-flow water heater, having a small inner volume and very highelectric power absorption, such that water is instantly heated while thewater flow through the water heater 21. The water heater 21 can beturned on e.g. when the beverage producing machine is first started. Insome embodiments, the water heater 21 can be maintained in a stand-bycondition, which limits the electric power consumption. The water heater21 can be turned on, or switched from a stand-by condition to anoperative condition, e.g. upon starting of a brewing cycle, when thewater pump 15 starts pumping cold water to the hydraulic actuator 5. Insome embodiments, the water heater 21 can be switched on or turned in anactive condition prior to energizing the water pump 15.

Flowing of water from the water pump 15 in and through the brewingchamber 3 is allowed by opening the valve 25 and the three-way valve 23,placing the valve inlet thereof in fluid communication with the firstvalve outlet. Water pumping will end when the desired amount of waterhas been delivered through the brewing chamber 3. The beverage isdelivered through a beverage dispensing nozzle 41 into a cup CP or othercontainer.

Brewing can be ended manually, when the user has detected the desiredamount of beverage in the cup CP.

In other embodiments, the hot water delivery can be stoppedautomatically, when a certain amount of water has been delivered to thebrewing chamber 3. The amount of water can be detected by a flow meter43, which can be arranged along the flow path between the water tank 13and the brewing chamber 3, for instance between the water tank 13 andthe pump 15.

The delivery pressure of pump 15 can be set at any desired value, forinstance even much lower than the closure pressure in the second waterpath 31. This is made possible by having separate first valvearrangement 20 and second valve arrangement 32. The second valvearrangement 32 maintains the pressure in the downstream section of thesecond water path 31 at the closure pressure, which has been achievedduring brewing chamber closure, said pressure being maintainedirrespectively of the actual pressure in the first water path 19.

The brewing pressure can be adjusted in any known manner or can befixed, depending upon the features of the beverage producing machine 1.For instance, a back-pressure valve (not shown) can be arrangeddownstream of the brewing chamber 3, between the brewing chamber 3 andthe beverage dispensing nozzle 41. The back-pressure valve can beadjustable to set the brewing pressure in the brewing chamber 3 at thedesired value. The brewing pressure in the brewing chamber 3 cansubstantially modify the organoleptic features of the beverage dispensedfrom the brewing chamber 3. Widely different brewing pressures can berequired for different capsules C using different ingredients, forinstance for brewing espresso coffee, regular coffee, American coffee,tea, and the like.

Once the required amount of water has been dispensed through the firstwater path 19, the brewing chamber 3 can be opened and the spent capsuleC can be removed. According to some embodiments, prior to opening thebrewing chamber 3, the pressure therein can be discharged, for exampleby switching the three-way valve 23 such that the second valve outletthereof is opened, while the delivery of water from the water heater 21is stopped. The residual pressure inside the brewing chamber 3 can bedischarged for instance along a venting line 45 which can end on top ofthe drip tray 29.

Once the pressure in the brewing chamber 3 has been released, thehydraulic actuator 5 can be opened, by switching the three-way valve 33,such water contained in the hydraulic actuator 5 is returned throughreturn duct 36 in the water tank 13. Water from the hydraulic actuator 5is thus recovered, such that the total consumption of water is reduced.

FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate mechanical and structural details of anexemplary embodiment of the brewing chamber 3 and relevant hydraulicactuator 5.

The brewing chamber 3 can be comprised of a first brewing chamberportion 51 and a second brewing chamber portion 53. Either one or theother or both the brewing chamber portions 51 and 53 can be movable withrespect to a frame 55. The frame 55 can be stationary housed in a casingof the beverage producing machine 1, not shown. In the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 the first brewing chamber portion51 is stationary with respect to the frame 55, while the second brewingchamber portion 53 is movable according to double arrow F under thecontrol of the hydraulic actuator 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first brewing chamberportion 51 has an inner recess 57, which can be shaped according to theshape of the capsule C. The shape of the brewing chamber portion 51 andmore specifically of the recess 57 thereof can change depending upon theshape of the capsule used. The recess 57 can house a perforating plate59 arranged in the bottom of the recess 57. The perforating plate 59 hasthe function of perforating the capsule during closure of the brewingchamber 3, in a manner known per se and not disclosed.

Reference number 61 designate a beverage dispensing duct fluidly coupledto the beverage dispensing nozzle 41.

The second brewing chamber portion 53 can comprise a closing member 63which is configured to close the opening of the recess 57 of the firstbrewing chamber portion 51.

In some embodiments, the second brewing chamber portion 53 can in turnbe provided with a second perforator 65, which extends through a plate67 during closure of the brewing chamber 3, such that the secondperforator 55 perforates a top closing wall of the capsule C.

It shall be understood that the above described structure of the brewingchamber 3 is given just as an exemplary embodiment of a possible brewingchamber configuration. The details of the brewing chamber 3 and relevantbrewing chamber portions 51 and 53 can vary depending upon the design ofthe brewing chamber 3 which in turn can depend upon the features of thecapsule C for which the brewing chamber 3 is designed. These detailswill therefore not be further described herein.

On top of the frame 55 a capsule insertion slot 71 can be provided,wherethrough capsules C can be introduced by gravity according to arrowG.

In some embodiments, to the brewing chamber 3 a supporting member 73 canbe combined. The supporting member 73 is configured and arranged forsupporting the capsule C in an intermediate position, upon insertionthrough the capsule insertion slot 71, prior to closing the brewingchamber 3. The supporting member 73 can be variously designed accordingto the structure of the brewing chamber. The actual structure of thesupporting member is independent of the features of the hydrauliccircuit of the beverage producing machine and can vary, e.g. dependingupon to the features and structure of the brewing chamber 3.

By way of example only, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment thesupporting member 72 is hinged at 75 to the frame 55, in which thebrewing chamber 3 is housed. The supporting member 73 is designed suchthat a capsule C introduced in the brewing chamber 3 through the capsuleinsertion slot 71 will be retained in an intermediate position betweenthe first brewing chamber portion 51 and the second brewing chamberportion 53, while the latter is in the open position. In someembodiments the capsule can be retained in the intermediate position byresting on the supporting member 73 and can on the brewing chamberportion 51.

When the brewing chamber 3 is closed by moving the second brewingchamber portion 53 towards and against the first brewing chamber portion51, the capsule is pushed by the supporting member 73 into the recess57, while the supporting member 73 moves upwards. Closure of the brewingchamber 3 is completed by clearing the supporting member 73 off thetrajectory of the second brewing chamber portion 53 moving towards thefirst brewing chamber portion 51.

In FIG. 2 the supporting member 73 is in the active position, where cansupport a C in the intermediate position. In FIG. 4 the supportingmember 73 has been cleared off the trajectory of the movable brewingchamber portion 53 and the two brewing chamber portions 51 and 53 are inthe sealingly closed position with the capsule C therebetween, ready forreceiving the pressurized hot water therethrough.

In FIGS. 2 to 5 a possible structure of the hydraulic actuator 5 isdisclosed in more detail. Also disclosed are the mechanical members,wherewith the hydraulic actuator 5 controls the movement of the brewingchamber portion 53 and of the supporting member 73 to move it clear offthe trajectory of the movable brewing chamber portion 53.

The two cylinder-piston systems 7 and 9 forming the hydraulic actuator 5are best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. They are both connected to the samewater inlet 79 which represents the end portion of the second water path31. Reference numbers 7C and 9C designate the cylinders of the twocylinder-piston systems 7 and 9 while reference numbers 7P and 9Pdesignated the pistons slidingly housed in the cylinders 7C and 9C.

The rods of each piston 7P, 9P extending outwardly from the respectivecylinder 7C and 9C is hinged at 81 to a pivoting arm 83. The arm 83 isin turn pivotally hinged at 85 to the frame 55 and can rotatetherearound. An end of the pivoting arm 83 opposite the hinge 81 ishinged at 87 to a first connecting rod 89. The connecting rod 89 ishinged in turn at 91 to the movable brewing chamber portion 53, whichcan be guided along a preferably rectilinear guide channels 93. Theguide channels can be formed on each of the opposed flanks of the frame55 and can be preferably oriented horizontally.

As can be easily appreciated by comparing FIGS. 2 and 4, when thepistons 7P, 9P of the two cylinder-piston systems 7, 9 are in theextended position, the pivoting arm 83 rotates according to arrow f83,in a clockwise direction in the drawings, thus causing the forwardmovement along the guide channels 93 of the movable brewing chamberportion 53 towards the closing position against the fixed brewingchamber portion 51. Conversely, when the pistons 7P, 9P are retracted inthe respective cylinders 7C, 9C of the two cylinder-piston systems 7, 9the pivoting arm 83 is returned in the original position (FIG. 2) wherethe movable brewing chamber portion 53 is in the open position, spacedapart from the fixed brewing chamber portion 51.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment thepivoting arm 83 is in actual fact a double arm, connected whereto is adouble connecting rod 89. The two portions of the double connecting rod89 are arranged on the two opposite sides of the movable brewing chamberportion 53, such that a better control and a more efficient distributionof closing force is obtained.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5, a second connectingrod 101 is hinged around the pin 81 to the rods of pistons 7P and 9P.The distal end of the second connecting rod 101 is hinged at 103 to apivoting member 105 which is connected to the frame 55 such as to pivotaround an axis 107.

The pivoting member 105 is in turn pivotally connected to a lever 111,the distal end whereof comprises a cam profile 113 in the form of anarcuate channel. The cam profile 113 engages a follower 115, which isintegral with the supporting member 73 and is slidingly movable in thecam profile 113.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the lever 111 can be a dual lever,forming a dual cam profile 113, arranged inside and adjacent twoopposite side walls of the frame 55, wherebetween the brewing chamber 3is arranged. A dual follower 115, extending from both sides of thesupporting member 73, engages in the dual cam profile 113.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 4, the extraction and refractionmovement of the pistons 7P, 9P of the two cylinder-piston systems 7, 9forming the hydraulic actuator 5 cause a pivoting movement of thepivoting member 105 and correspondingly, through the lever 111, apivoting movement of the supporting member 73 around axis 75. Thismovement causes the supporting member 73 to take up the cleared offposition of FIG. 4, allowing full closure and re-opening of the brewingchamber 3 by moving the movable brewing chamber portion 53 towards andaway from the stationary brewing chamber portion 51.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of a brewing unit 2 comprised of abrewing chamber 3 in a second exemplary embodiment. The same parts,elements and components already disclosed in connection with FIGS. 2 to5 are labeled with the same reference numbers and will not be describedagain. The main difference between the embodiment of FIG. 6 and theembodiment of FIGS. 2-5 relates to the mechanical connection between thehydraulic actuator 5 and the pivoting arm 83. In the embodiment of FIG.6, the cylinder-piston systems 7, 9 can be rigidly mounted on the frame55. The pistons of the cylinder-pistons 7, 9 are rigidly connected to atoothed rack 121, which meshes with a gear sector 123. The gear sector123 is rigidly connected or integrally formed with the pivoting arm 83.The rectilinear reciprocating movement according to arrow f121 of thetoothed rack 121, controlled by the cylinder-piston systems 7, 9, isthus converted into a pivoting reciprocating movement of the gear sector123 and of the pivoting arm 83, which in turn controls the reciprocatingopening and closing motion of the brewing chamber portion 53.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification and in the appendedclaims, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred examples, itis to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A beverage producing machine, comprising: a brewingchamber having at least a first brewing chamber portion and a secondbrewing chamber portion movable with respect to the other, the brewingchamber configured and arranged to take an open position and a closedbrewing position; at least one hydraulic actuator for controllingclosing and opening movement of the brewing chamber; a water pumpfluidly connected to the brewing chamber through a first water path andfurther fluidly connected to the at least one hydraulic actuator througha second water path for delivering pressurized water to the brewingchamber and to the at least one hydraulic actuator, respectively; awater heater arranged along the first water path; a first valvearrangement positioned along the first water path; and a second valvearrangement positioned along the second water path, between the waterpump and the at least one hydraulic actuator; wherein the first valvearrangement and the second valve arrangement are configured andcontrolled such that, during a brewing chamber closure step, the firstvalve arrangement is closed and the second valve arrangement is open tocause water to be delivered by the water pump to the at least onehydraulic actuator; wherein the first valve arrangement and the secondvalve arrangement are further configured and controlled such that, uponreaching a closure pressure in the at least one hydraulic actuator, thesecond valve arrangement is closed to fluidly isolate the at least onehydraulic actuator from the water pump and maintain the closure pressurein the at least one hydraulic actuator, and the first valve arrangementis opened to cause water to be delivered by the water pump to thebrewing chamber through the water heater.
 18. The beverage producingmachine of claim 17, wherein the first valve arrangement includes atleast a first three-way valve having a valve inlet fluidly coupled tothe water heater, a first valve outlet fluidly coupled to the brewingchamber, and a second valve outlet fluidly coupled to a drip tray. 19.The beverage producing machine of claim 18, wherein the first valvearrangement includes a closure valve arranged in series with the firstthree-way valve, upstream or downstream of the water heater.
 20. Thebeverage producing machine of claim 17, wherein the second valvearrangement includes a second three-way valve having a valve inletfluidly coupled to the water pump, a first valve outlet fluidly coupledto the at least one hydraulic actuator, and a second valve outletfluidly coupled to a water tank; and wherein the water tank is fluidlycoupled to the water pump.
 21. The beverage producing machine of claim20, wherein the second valve arrangement includes a non-return valvearranged in series with the second three-way valve, between the waterpump and the second three-way valve.
 22. The beverage producing machineof claim 17, wherein the at least one hydraulic actuator includes atleast one cylinder-piston system.
 23. The beverage producing machine ofclaim 17, wherein the at least one hydraulic actuator includes twocylinder-piston actuators arranged in parallel.
 24. The beverageproducing machine of claim 17, wherein one of the first brewing chamberportion and second brewing chamber portion has a cup-shaped recess forreceiving a capsule containing ingredients for the production of thebeverage.
 25. The beverage producing machine of claim 17, furthercomprising: a capsule insertion mechanism, with a capsule insertionslot, wherethrough capsules can be introduced by gravity; and a capsulesupporting member, configured and arranged such as to retain a capsuleintroduced through the capsule insertion slot; wherein the at least onehydraulic actuator moves at least one of the first brewing chamberportion or the second brewing chamber portion, to introduce the capsulein the brewing chamber and sealingly close the brewing chamber with thecapsule therein.
 26. The beverage producing machine of claim 17, whereinthe at least one hydraulic actuator is drivingly coupled to one of thefirst brewing chamber portion or the second brewing chamber portionthrough an actuating leverage.
 27. The beverage producing machine ofclaim 26, wherein the actuating leverage includes a pivoting arm,rotatingly supported by a frame housing the brewing chamber, and whereinthe pivoting arm is rotatingly hinged to a first connecting rod, in turnpivotally connected to one of the first brewing chamber portion or thesecond brewing chamber portion.
 28. The beverage producing machine ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one hydraulic actuator is drivinglycoupled to the actuating leverage by a rack and gear arrangement, therack being integral with the at least one hydraulic actuator and thegear being integral with the pivoting arm of the actuating leverage androtates integrally therewith.
 29. The beverage producing machine ofclaim 26, wherein the actuating leverage includes a second connectingrod, functionally connected to a capsule supporting member, such that aclosure movement imparted by the at least one hydraulic actuator to thebrewing chamber controls a withdrawal movement of the capsule supportingmember, to remove the capsule supporting member from a capsulesupporting position, between the first brewing chamber portion and thesecond brewing chamber portion, when the brewing chamber is in the openposition, towards an inoperative position, when the brewing chamber isclosed.
 30. The beverage producing machine of claim 17, wherein at leastone of the first brewing chamber portion or the second brewing chamberportion is movable in an approximately horizontal direction.
 31. Amethod for extracting a beverage from a capsule containing beverageingredients therein, the method comprising: introducing the capsule in abrewing chamber including at least a first brewing chamber portion and asecond brewing chamber portion, the brewing chamber fluidly connected toa water pump through a first water path, a first valve arrangement, anda water heater positioned along the first water path; and sealinglyclosing the brewing chamber by moving the first brewing chamber portionand the second brewing chamber portion in a sealingly closing positionby a hydraulic actuator operated by a pressurized fluid delivered by thewater pump through a second water path, where along a second valvearrangement is positioned; when a closure pressure is achieved,interrupting the water flow towards the hydraulic actuator by closingthe second valve arrangement, thereby fluidly isolating the hydraulicactuator from the water pump and maintaining the hydraulic actuator atthe closure pressure; and opening the first valve arrangement, therebydelivering water at a brewing pressure to the brewing chamber throughthe water heater by the water pump.
 32. The method of claim 31, whereinthe brewing pressure is lower than the closure pressure.